If you are reading this, you are probably already thinking about buying a flagpole or replacing the old one. With so many styles, materials, features, and prices available on the Internet, you can be overwhelmed by trying to process it all. This article will boil up to 10 questions, which, when answered, will make your flagpole shopping! Each paragraph is a checklist. Feel free to print this article to help you with your purchase.
1.) Budget. Ask how much a flagpole costs, how to ask how much a car costs. Answer: "It depends." Many details affect the cost of the flagpole, such as overall height, pole diameter, tube thickness, where it was manufactured, how it is shipped and how far, and other considerations too numerous to mention. It is safe to say that you can buy a flagpole from 50 to 2500 dollars on the Internet, it depends on what you want to spend. For most homeowners, you can purchase a reliable quality flagpole for between $ 100 and $ 300. Don't forget to provide additional fees for applicable taxes, shipping costs, and installation fees for the contractor (or grilled steak costs, if you have your brother-in-law, install its for you!)
My flagpole budget is $ ____________.
2.) Local codes and neighborhood associations. Once you have decided on a budget, you need to check any local regulations, historical district restrictions or neighborhood rules that restrict the construction of the flagpole. The fastest way to find out if your proposed flagpole installation is a violation of any codes is the name of your county and “building codes”. Some locales have available documentation. Usually in a telephone number you can call during office hours to talk with someone who can answer this question. If you belong to an association of neighbors, this information should be in your agreement or you can always call the association only to be safe. If you find that the in-flag flagpole is not an option, you can still consider a wall mounted or a fixed level flag.
_____ There are restrictions on tracking a flagpole in my area.
_____ Flagpoles are limited to _____ feet in my area.
_____ Flagpoles are prohibited where I live, but I can install a wall mounted or flag mounted.
3.) Construction. The next thing you need to think about is which flagpole you prefer. On the same day, flagpoles were mostly solid, usually steel or aluminum. You can still find them today, but they are mostly replaced by sectional flagpoles or telescopic flagpoles that can be sent, transported and driven out easier and cheaper than their solid predecessors. Sectional flagpoles are usually tapered at one end to fit snugly to the section above it, leaving only a small seam that is visible closely. Each section usually has a length of 5 to 6 feet. Telescopic flagpoles are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of raising and lowering the flag, their relative low cost and their portability. When you purchase accessories such as wheel stands, deck mounts and carrying cases, you can take your telescopic flagpole to the rear doors, an RV park, or a boat docking station. Perhaps the biggest advantage of the telescopic pole over a sectional or solid pole is that there are no clips in the wind, no routes to the club around the flag, and no pulley at the top to fail.
Regardless of whether you look at sectional flagpoles or telescopic aluminum flagpoles, when determining the overall quality you want to look at 2 factors: the diameter of the pole and the wall thickness of the pipe. As a rule, thicker walls are stronger than wider pipes. The quality of aluminum used in the construction of the poles is also of great importance. Instead of trying to clarify the technical differences in strength and corrosion resistance between different classes of aluminum, suffice it to say that if one flagpole is worth more than another similar flagpole, there is probably a good reason for this.
_____ I prefer the sectional flagpole.
_____ I prefer the telescopic flagpole.
_____ I prefer the wall-mounted flagpole.
4.) Height. Thus, you find that there are no restrictions on the flagpoles where you live, and you decide to go to a large level. Really big. You want to buy a 50-foot flagpole and fly 10 feet off of a 12-foot flag. Great. How big is your house? Try to imagine that such a large-format flagpole device will look proportional to your home. Conversely, if you have a massive house, a flagpole that is too small may seem inconvenient. As a rule, if your house is one-story, the pole is between 16 and 20 feet in order. For tall single-story houses or medium-sized two-story houses, the 20-foot and 25-foot poles work well. Higher two-story houses may look good with a 25-foot or 30-foot flagpole.
_____ My house is one storey; I need a flagpole from 16 to 20 feet.
_____ My house is a tall one-story plot or story and a half; I need a 20-foot to 25-foot flagpole.
_____ My house is a two-story house; I need a flagpole from 25 feet to 30 feet.
5.) Easy installation. When you decide to start a project such as installing a flagpole, it helps to understand that everything is involved before grabbing a shovel and jumping straight. Sometimes it is better to pay someone to do it right, than to save a few dollars and live results for the next 20 years. Sectional flagpoles and telescopic flagpoles are inserted into the soil sleeve, which is installed in the concrete, which passes below the freezing line. Depending on your region, the freezing line will be different. The most important part of the installation of flagpoles is to make sure that a flat, even sleeve is installed in the concrete. One small mistake here, and you will have a “flagpole support tower”. Installing a wall-mounted flagpole is much easier and can be solved by almost every homeowner with a few basic tools. Most brackets have 3 or 4 mounting screws.
_____ I have the tools and the know-how to install the flagship itself.
_____ I hired a professional to install my flagpole for me.
_____ I will go with a wall-mounted flagpole, which I can install myself.
6.) Wind and weather conditions When evaluating a flagpole for a purchase, consider the typical weather conditions in which you live. Is your area prone to frequent strong winds? Do you live on a hill or at a height where it is usually windy? Do you have a lot of open fields around you, and nothing is blocking the wind? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to think about paying a little more for a higher quality flagpole. Ask the dealer for the wind rating on the pole you are considering. This is usually indicated as mph with and without a flag. You can also consider a telescopic flagpole, which allows you to quickly lower a flag or remove a flag in adverse conditions.
_____ Wind is a factor in which I live; I will need a flagpole with a higher wind rating.
_____ I am surrounded by trees and / or neighbors; wind is not a problem.
7.) 24-hour display. The Code of Federal Rules of the United States says in part 1 of chapter 1, part 6.1,
“This is a universal custom to display a flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagpoles under the open sky. However, when a patriotic effect is required, the flag can be displayed twenty-four hours a day, if it is properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. "
If you plan to constantly display your flag, you will need to plan the installation of a lighting device. Low-voltage flagpole lights are usually sold for about $ 100 and have a photocell that automatically turns on at night and goes out at dawn. If you are not an experienced electrician, you should probably hire a professional to install it for you and take it into account in the total cost.
When planning a flight of stars and stripes 24 hours a day, you also need to make sure that you have a flag that can withstand all types of weather. Just as displaying a flag is a sign of respect for America, showing a broken and faded flag is a statement of disrespect for our country. Most nylon flags have brass sleeves and are suitable for all weather conditions; however, it is better to avoid screen printing flags for all-season displays, as they tend to fight and fade faster than the one that is stitched and embroidered.
_____ I want to show my flag 24/7, and you will need to buy a low-voltage flagship flag and an all-weather flag.
_____ I will lower my flag at dusk and in inclement weather, no need for lighting.
8.) Several flags. Many homeowners install a flagpole with one goal: fly over the American flag. However, at some point along the road, the idea struck them that it would be nice to also fly under their national flag under the flag of the United States, or a military flag, or the POW flag on the same pole. If you live in Ohio, for example, you might want to fly to the Cleveland Brown flag to show your tireless loyalty to your team that did not win. Most flags today have 3 clips that allow you to add a second flag if you want; however, not all. If you think that there is such a possibility that you can do this in the future, make sure that the flagpole you acquire will support two flags and is intended for this option. With telescopic flagpoles, the second set of clips also allows you to fly under the flag of half the staff.
_____ I will fly with two flags at once and I need a flagpole priced as such.
_____ I’m sure that I’ll never fly with two flags at once, so this will not be a problem.
9.) Warranty. The old adage, “you get what you pay for,” is so often the case with the things we buy, and the flagpole is no different. A well-made flagpole from a reputable manufacturer will always have some sort of limited warranty. Be sure to ask for detailed information if you buy it. Keep in mind also that when buying a flagpole or any product on the Internet, the warranty is usually valid only if it is purchased from a new and from an authorized dealer or seller. Beware of items that are “open” or “customer returns” if you are not the original purchaser. While most of these items are fine and safe to buy, the money you save may not be worth losing your warranty. Ask your dealer if you will receive a new flagpole in a factory sealed box.
_____ Yes, the flagpole, which I consider, has a guarantee.
_____ Warranty is not a problem for me; I am willing to risk to lower the cost.
10.) Made in America. For many, this can be a deal breaker. Naturally, the flagship flag, which shows the American flag, must be made in America. In 2011, ABC News launched the “Made in America” campaign, in which many people ask the question: “Where was it done?” Most of the items made in America today are proudly called. If not, feel free to ask the dealer.
Assembled in America. If you find out that the flagpole you are considering is not made in America, do not quickly cross it out of your list. Many companies import components from other countries and assemble and distribute them in the USA. This allows US companies to offer products that are competitively priced and affordable for most consumers. He also provides American jobs to those who own and work for such companies.
Regardless of your beliefs in this matter, do not hesitate to ask the dealer if it is not specified. Anyone who does not tell you where their products are manufactured is in any case not worthy of your business.
_____ I want the flagpole to be 100% and assembled in America.
_____ Country of origin is not a factor in my decision to buy a flagpole.
Displaying a flag is a great way to show your patriotism, while at the same time adding beauty and elegance to your home or garden. I hope you have a better understanding of everything related to choosing and buying a flagpole. Any questions you cannot answer can be answered by your dealer or by contacting the author.
